News, observations and reader questions about the Sacramento Kings and the NBA.

December 12, 2012

MILWAUKEE - Playing without two their top-3 scorers, the Kings predictably had trouble scoring in losing to the Bucks Wednesday Night at Bradley Center.

And Tyreke Evans' the Kings' second-leading scorer, was coming off the bench after missing three games because of a sore left knee.

The Kings shot 37.2 percent (32 of 86).

Evans has 17 points in his return. John Salmons added 16 points.

Brandon Jennings had 19 points for the Bucks while Monta Ellis had 17 points and 11 assists.

THIRD QUARTER
Bucks 68, Kings 62

MILWAUKEE - The Kings began the quarter on a 9-2 run, but still couldn't overcome their own poor shooting to take the lead.

John Salmons has 13 points to lead the Kings.

Salmons scored 11 points in the quarter as the Kings shot 42.9 percent (9 of 21) which is actually good for the Kings tonight.

The Bucks shot 34.8 percent (8 of 23)

HALFTIME
Bucks 49, Kings 39

MILWAUKEE - It hasn't been an exhibition of good offense for either team.

The Kings are shooting 34.1 percent (14 of 41) and have 11 turnovers. The Bucks are shooting 39.1 percent (18 of 46).

But the Bucks closed the half on a 17-7 run after blowing a 13-point lead early in the second quarter and allowing the Kings to tie the game at 32.

Tyreke Evans has nine points off the bench for the Kings but also has three fouls. Jason Thompson has a game-high eight rebounds. But not much has gone right overall for the Kings. They have only five assists and have been outrebounded 31-24.

Keith Smart has already used every player he has available.

Luc Mbah a Moute led the Bucks with 13 points. Monta Ellis has a game-high seven assists for the Bucks.

FIRST QUARTER
Bucks 29, Kings 19

MILWAUKEE - Both teams are without key players tonight, but the Bucks have managed to start the game well.

The Kings shot 31.8 percent (7 of 22) and had five turnovers, which are big reasons the Kings have never led. The Bucks aren't shooing great (11 of 27, 40.7 percent) but have nine offensive rebounds and seven second-chance points.

That's where not having DeMarcus Cousins (NBA suspension) hurts the Kings most.

The Kings started Travis Outlaw at power forward and Jason Thompson at center without Cousins.

Tyreke Evans came off the bench in his first game back after missing three (sore left knee) and scored a team-high nine points.

Brandon Jennings led the Bucks with six points.

Beno Udrih, Epke Udoh, Mike Dunleavy and Larry Sanders are all out for the Bucks.

The Kings are also without Marcus Thornton, who is with his mother who is ill.